A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has been seriously injured after he was mowed down by a van while inside a tent during a camping trip near Selby.

A 20-year-old local man has been arrested in connection with the attack on the boy.

A group of teenagers were camping in a field in Barlby between York Road and the River Ouse yesterday when a man approached the group shortly before 4am and chatted with them.

Police said the conversation “escalated into a disagreement”, with the man threatening to run over their tent with his vehicle.

The man left the scene and returned shortly afterward in a white van and carried out his threat to run over the tent.

Most of the group escaped and hid nearby, however, the 16-year-old local boy remained inside the tent and suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident.

Police said yesterday the boy was undergoing tests at York Hospital to establish the extent of his injuries.

Officers said he remained in hospital in a serious condition, although his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Detective Chief Inspector Heather Pearson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “This is a disturbing incident which has resulted in a teenager sustaining serious injuries.

“It is vital that we obtain as much information as possible of the events leading up to the incident.

“I am therefore appealing to anyone, in particular nearby residents, to contact the police with any information they have relating to the incident.

“If anyone saw a white van in the area late on Saturday night or in the early hours of Sunday morning, please contact us as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone who has any information which could help the investigation, should phone York CID on 101. Alternatively, they can phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.